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Ticks, worms and other parasites

Parasites are part of dog life — but easy to manage with routines for checking, removing and treating.

Ticks

Check your dog after every walk in grass or woodland, especially ears, armpits and groin. Remove ticks promptly with a tick remover using a straight, slow pull. Ask your vet which preventive products suit your area.

Worms

Puppies are dewormed routinely, but adult dogs in many countries are only treated when a stool sample shows infection — ask your clinic what applies locally. Watch for weight loss, dull coat or a pot-bellied look.

Fleas and mites

Intense scratching, hair loss or black gritty dust in the coat can mean fleas or mites. Treat all animals in the household at the same time and wash bedding hot, or the infestation returns.

Test yourself: Ticks & parasites

How should you remove a tick?
  1. Promptly, with a tick remover and a slow straight pull
  2. Burn it off with a match
  3. Cover it with oil and wait

Correct answer: Promptly, with a tick remover and a slow straight pull

Quick mechanical removal is safest — burning or smothering stresses the tick and can increase infection risk.

How are healthy adult dogs dewormed in many countries?
  1. Every week, routinely
  2. Only when a stool sample shows infection
  3. Never — worms disappear on their own

Correct answer: Only when a stool sample shows infection

Routine blanket deworming of adults drives resistance; many countries recommend testing first. Puppies follow their own schedule.

Where should you check extra carefully for ticks?
  1. Only along the back
  2. Just the tail
  3. Ears, armpits and groin

Correct answer: Ears, armpits and groin

Ticks prefer thin, warm skin — head, ears, armpits and groin are favorite spots.

You find fleas on one of your two dogs. What is the right move?
  1. Treat only the itchy dog
  2. Treat all animals in the household and wash bedding hot
  3. Bathe the dog once and consider it done

Correct answer: Treat all animals in the household and wash bedding hot

Fleas live in the environment and hop between animals — treat everyone and clean the home or they return.

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